So, I have finally managed to hook up my PS3 and I thought that I would share with you all some of my thoughts on it seeing as how I have been using a 360 for the past 18 months or so.
Firstly - it is a pretty piece of technology. I really like the black, sleek look, although it looks to me that it will be a huge dust magnet 
. It is VERY heavy though (not so much that I can't pick it up with my weakling lady arms, but it is definitely surprisingly heavy).
The setup was pretty straightfoward, I had a few pairing issues between my router and the PS3, but once they were sorted it was fairly seamless to set my account up on PSN. I was pleased to note too that my Gamertag from xbox was available so the difficult decision to decide what my PSN ID should be has been thankfully taken away from me and I am now known as NicciNacciNola on there too. 
The dashboard is easy to use, although it isn't quite as customisable as I would like it to be, and the choices of gaming avatars are pretty weak particularly in comparison with the new xbox avatars. There really isn't an option to customise a character. I did dip in to Home, but to be honest, I need to spend some time working out what that is all about before I can comment in any great detail!
The biggest surprise for me, (and it is one that I was aware of), was the amount of updates the thing needs! Man! It must have taken about an hour to do all the updates, one when I first put it on, one when I finally got it connected to the interweb, and then when I put in Little Big Planet it needed a MAHOOSIVE update for that too. Man! All I wanted to do was PLAY A GAME!!! 
Before I got my 360 I had always had Playstations so the 360 controller was a bit alien to me, however over time I have come to appreciate it as a pretty sturdy controller. In comparison the PS controller seems weak, it is too light, it doesn't fit my hands very well and I have pretty small hands so I have no idea how someone with big man hands would feel comfortable with it, and the lack of a discernible trigger button just seems wrong to me. The sixaxis thing is pretty cool though, I had a bit of fun manipulating my sackboy character when I finally got LBP loaded.
I haven't had any time really to play any games, but I did managed to have about 20 mins on Little Big Planet, so not enough for any in depth review, however what I have seen is absolutely ADORABLE. The game looks like it is packed full of charm and I am really looking forward to playing it some more - I even unlocked some Trophies - although I fear that I won't be as obsessed about these as I am with my Gamerscore... 
Comments
I was not overly impressed with Blu ray to me - it just looked like a good DVD to me. I only have a 32" TV though - I think they come into there own on big TV's were they can retain quality even when the picture is blown up.
I also wasn't a fan of the install thing. I'd prefer it to be optional - like on xbox.
As for updates I am not sure why you had some many. I know you need one for the newest update once you get online, and for any with whatever games have updates, but that is no different than with the 360 what so ever. I just got a 360 late last year and have played maybe one game for sure that didn't need an update, so no matter what you can not get around that.
As for controllers I completely disagree with you, I find the PS controller to fit perfect and though I do like how they changed the controller of the 360 compared to the original X Box, it just doesn't touch how well the PS controller feels.
Also, I am not sure what you mean about the weak selection of avatars on PSN, if you mean for the cheap icons I understand, not a lot, but as for on Home. Well there difference in what you can do with your character far exceeds the avatars on the NXE. Not just in looks, but with clothes, and characterization. The avatars on NXE are no more then a 1.5 upgrade from the Mii's on the Nintendo Wii at best.
Glad you are having fun with it, and once I get my PS3 fixed (someday!) we can game out together.
Nice blog.
At any rate, enjoy Sackboy...thats probably the only exclusive title for the PS3 that I actually would like to play.
And I don't care about trophies, at all, even though I love achievements on the 360. I think the problem is that I have had the 360 for over 2 years so I have already built up a gamerscore.
@ Cortana - from what I have seen of LBP it is gorgeous. I shall report back once I have had time to play it a little more. It is just so completely different from anything else I have played.
@macacd - thanks for the tips. I will be sure to check them out.
@Shacks21 - thanks for your comments. I haven't had chance to check out home yet, but I understand that you can customise an avatar there. I am talking about the standard ones that come with it?! I am just attached to my xbox one I guess...
@fodder - with the blu ray I think you need to be watching something with loads of effects or scenery or something. I keep saying that I can't see the difference with HD sky and normal sky, but when I watch a football match it makes a difference. Also - perhaps you need a bigger telly?
@bith - would be interested to hear what you think of Killzone - I am hearing mixed reports.
@caddy - I think the dust is going to be a nightmare. I have already dusted it down 3 times and I haven't even had it a week...
Don't add me yet, remember, I have a broken PS3. I forgot to add something in the other comment, happy trophy hunting!!
I see some people talking about updates for games and talking about there being more then one. This is confusing to me, seeing you only have one per game, unless you own a game and have to get the update each time there is a new one for that game. Like Socom, yes there has been a ton of updates, but if you just bought the game, you only have to get the newest update and you are good to go.
LBP, MGS4 & KZ2 are all the reasons I need to Own such a heavy and shiny black piece of equipment .
Impressions? I know a man that does a very good impression of a PS3 - he doesn't say much, is overweight, wears black all the time and has chronic dandruff ...
Seriously, I pretty much agree with all your points. I haven't found the updates to be much of a problem, though that's probably influenced by connection type/speed. Being the incorrigible tinkerer I am, I was somewhat disappointed by the limited customisability of the interface too. Sure, there are custom themes out there, but I like my stuff to be personalised, not the discarded hand-me-downs of others. With a little delving I discovered some ways and means to overcome those limitations:
- Playstation 3 Theme Builder
- PS 3 Theme Creator - contains (official) template files and theme compiler
There's a bit of a tutorial here if (like me) you're keen to get your hands dirty. Bear in mind this was a while ago, so there may very well be updated tools, tips and tricks out there ...
Have fun
I heard that the PS3 upscales DVDs as well which is pretty cool (if you have the telly to match that is!)
PS3 is an awesome toy and while it is very pretty - YES it is indeed a massive dust magnet
I keep a nice little doily on the top of mine when I am not using it so it will not covered with a film.
I have both PS2 and PS3 sitting next to each other and connected to my spare set in the bedroom and have a few games now but at the moment it is Oblivion I am hooked on.
I adore the Dark Elf because I like using stealth rather than hack and slash.
I got mad with it in the end and haven't picked it up again since. I keep meaning to though because I put over 100 hours in to that game and it seems a shame not to finish it.
Nicholai69
I haven't even held a 360 pad before so cnt comment on which is better
Oh n KZ2 for, well yah no, to experience one of the greatest lookin games to date